[TowerTalk] Why galvanized crank up cables instead of stainless?

[Georgens, Tom]

Rick

I have an HG52SS in Barbados and I have switched to stainless cables with no issue.  The galvanized cables would only last a couple of years before there was enough rust to cause concern.  I will leave it to the experts but it would not surprise me if the galvanize gets compromised by bending over the pulley under tension, or scrapes against the cross  braces in various places.   Once the galvanize material is scratched, the cable is no match for the environment.

I went with the next higher size of cable as it was clear that the pulleys could handle it.  The first set of cables I had made years ago were cheaper than what Hy-gain wanted for spare galvanized cables.  I made a second set in case of emergency more recently and they were more expensive.  Bosun Supplies will make cables to custom lengths and appropriate terminations.

One warning is that I only raise and lower the tower a few times per year.  Most of the time it is down

73, Tom W2SC

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Richard (Rick) Karlquist
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2012 7:27 PM
To: TowerTalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Why galvanized crank up cables instead of stainless?

Having just replaced my crank up cables (in case they might
be rusted internally), I am wondering why stainless steel
cables aren't used.  It would seem that they would avoid
the latent rust issue.  I realize that they are not as strong,
but they could simply be sized appropriately.  Is it the
case that they may still rust, just more slowly?  Would
they somehow wear out and break internally?  It would be
great to merely have to inspect the cables for obvious broken
strands and never have to replace them on a preventative basis.
Can someone explain this?  Don't airplanes use SS cables?

Rick N6RK
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